Merchandise-vending machine



Jan. 9, 1923. 1,441,510. G. Nl. KUHN.

MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE.

FILED JULY 2l, |920. ,Y 8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ilz @en Z021' Jan.9,1923. 1,441,510. G. IVI. KUHN.

MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE'.

-FILED JULY 2l,`l920. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Jan. 9, 1923.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

f F'ILED JULY 21. 1920.

Jan. 9, 1923. 1,441,510.

l G. M. KUHN. l

MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE.

FILED JULY 2l. i920. a SHEETS-SHEET 5.

fitug/Zivi@ J an. 9, 1923.

` 1,441,510. G. M. KUHN.

MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE.

man 1uLY 2l, 1920. a SHEETS-snm s.

Jan. 9, 1923.

G. M. KUHN. Y MERCHANDISE vEIIIDIIIG- MACHINE. FILED IuLY 21,1920.

Jan. 9, 1923.

MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE.

FILED JULY 21.1920. 8 SHEETS-SHEEI 8.

I 1,441,510. G. IVI. KUHN. y

n( ,fr

Patented Jan. 9, 1923.

f (UN'lfiIjDl sra Giioiienir. KUHN, or sr.1.oUis, ivirssorrnn n AlittEIRCHANDl:SIE-VENDEINCi-r MACHINE.

Appiication ined Jui-y 2i,

To all whom t may cammini t Be it known that I, GEORGE MQKUHN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louisand State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improve'- ments in Merchandise-Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to mechanisms adapted to thev vending of most any class of articles of general merchandise and 'is a distinct and practical improvement to overcome certain important practical objec` tions to, and defects in, the universal type of vending machine.

The object of inyinvention is to provide a mechanism which, b y duplication, ysha-ll be ,adapted to vend an unlimited number of articles ofgeneral merchandise accurately', more economically and with much less manual labor than has been possiblehitherto.

` Another object of my invention is to provide ak mechanism which shall be adapted to vend a very large number of` different arti- 'cles of merchandise directly to theA purchaser without the intervention of the seller or of clerks and cashiers in effecting the sale and delivery, and receipt of the purchase price, of the articlesdesired by the 12'-12 offFig. 3, looking in direction of the arrow.' i

purchaser. c

` A still further obJect of my inventionis to provide a device for vending merchandise which will be simple and comparatively in` easily and quickly expensive in construction, actuated for delivering goods to a position fromwhich the vendee can remove the same from its supporting shelf at the time of purchase and which will prove itself highly 1 efficient for the purpose intended.-

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and coinbinationof parts hereinafter described and inally pointed out in the claims hereto appended."

forming a part of this'specification wherein like characters of'- reference denote lsimilar parts throughout the several views Fig. 1, is a front elevation of one complete unit of my improvedN merchandise -vendiii g machine.

-- ing.v ii, is

i920'. kseiiai No. 397,986.

" 2,' is a rear elevation thereof. y ,Fig 3, is a top plan view'thereof with portions thereof broken away and portions shown in cross-section.

f Fig. 4, is a plan view of the coin controlled actuating mechanism.

Fig. kf5, is a view taken on line' 5-5 off" ingle "Hg, 6, is a detail, showing coin moved to a position to be discharged. y

Fig. 7, is a detail7 similarto Fig. 6, with coin discharged andthe several parts of 'mechanism in position as having actuated. the table releasing dog, or lever.

Fig. 8, is a rear elevation of the hand wheel,showing thecams fixed thereto.

Fig. 9, is fa plan view ofthe hand wheel,

'partly in section and partly in elevation,

yclearly showing thecam and push rods.'

Fig. 10,"is a plan view 'of a unit of the merchandise vending machine, showing a shelf provided with a multiplicity of inerchandise receiving compartments for small articles. i l a detail, clearly showing the ratchetband fixed to 'one of the shelves of the unit. i

Fig. 12, is a sectional view taken on line table is provided with a sleeve 11 and is 'irotatably supported by meansof a central arranged supporting post '12. as 'clearly so that itl is held stationary. z

Fach revolving mechandise supporting i table is provided with ahonsing 13 suitably housing 13 and fixed at its inner end to the .supporting post 12 and at its outer endv to shown in Figures 2 and 3. `The post, or n standard 12 is suitably fixed tothe floor Referring to the accompanying drawings i i fixed to the upper face thereof. A suitable" iiat coiled spring 14 is arranged in each the spring housing 13 so that the unwinding of the spring will revolve its respective table.

The merchandise supporting` tables are positioned behind suitable Walls, designated 15 and16. rlhese Walls are spaced apart at their inner edges to provide a package discharge opening, or passage 1T. The Wall designated 1G is preferably provided With a glass panel 1S so that the purchaser may observe the goods to be purchased.

Each merchandise supporting `table is provided with a plurality 'of partitions 19 radiating outwardly :from the springv housing 13 to provide individual merchandise receiving compartinents 20, vas shown `in Figures 3 and 10. 21 indicates merchandise. or goods, inpackage form, 4arranged in the compartments 20 lot amerchandiser supporting shelf.4 rlhe compartments 20g-ire oi' a Width at their outer ends equalv to the width or tliediscliare ooenino' 17 as shown `.L *ci 7 in Figure 3. The `front compartment is not provided with v merchandise, 4as shoivnk in n,

. i. 'gurey fil-Then -`the compartments 2Oy are smaller at their outer ends than the Width o't the discharge lopening 17, as shown in Figure 10` a oluralit i ot com aart-ments 20 es ,i l 5 l are tree o'l merchandise, as shown, From the ,foi'egoiiig, it is evidenttliat'any desired number ot merchandise receiving compartii'ients 20 may be employed ttor each revolving` merchandise supportingtable.

`Each revolvable merchandise supporting table is provided with a peripheral band 22 provided withfthe inclined faces 23 and stops 2st. The stops 2-,t are positioned directly beloiv the outer end ot' each compartment partition 19 so that the table can only revolve a distance equal to the Width of the out-er open end of the merchandise receiving compartments. e The stop band 22 is interchangeable and can be removed, when desired, to provide a table with a band with more or less stops 2e. The'stop band 112, is heldin position-'by means offsuitable screws 25, or other suitable fastening dc- .vices The partitions 19 may be removable and may be removablyv fixed to the upper face of' the merchandise supporting tables in .any suitable, or vfell known manner,

'if-1s shown in Figure 3,26 designates side partitions. or ivalls. it is evident that each vertical series of merchandise. supporting .tablesactias annit` and as manyv ot these unitsmay be' placed side by side, as desired,

thus economi?ing` in floor space, as the nierfchandise shelves, or tables are arranged one above ,the other and vadapted to revolve in'- .d'epe'ndentot each other-to bring the goods ipurchased from any lshelt1 to a position .right in roiitoft the purchaser, Where the article .purchased is then removed from its compartment by the purchaser.

kover suitable `pulleys d2 .leys d3 'for retaining the cables in certain `The compartments 20 of the tables, or shelves are filled from vthe rear, and each time the shelves are filled, the table is revolved in a direction reverse to its delivery direction for reivinding the spring 13.,

ywhich spring yrotates the table'ivlien it is released by the actuationof certain mechanism after a coin of the required denomination has been ldeposited in a coin con`` ing` member is encircled by means of a n suitable coiled'spring 32v adapted to yieldiiigly hold each dog` releasing member in its normal` or advanced position, as cle-arly shoivn in Figures t andli. X

The dog releasingmeinbers 1,2,` 3', 4', 5, f3', T, 8, Sand 10farefconnected by means of cables 32, 33, 34e, 35,36, 37,38, B9, LVl-O and e1 ,respectively, to the shelff'or tablereleasing dogs, or levers 1f', 2f", 3, si, 5, G, 7, 8, andlOf, respectively, which leversare each pivotally supported at one end` to the inner face of the iront Wall 15, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The cables 32 to d1, inclusive, it Will'be observed, t'rom Figures t and `5, first pass and then over pulpatlis of travel." l y ,A

Each table releasing dog, or lever 1 to 10", inclusive, is provided with anV upwardly extending lip atadapted toy engage one of the stops24, of each, of the stop bands 22, to prevent movement,y of the inerchandise supporting tables until the, dog or lever controlling some particular shelf, or table has been withdraivn from, engagement a stop` 24 ot thel 'ratchet band thereof after a coin has been depositedin the coin device and the device manual y actuated by the purchaser. 1. y v i.

The` coin controlled device Will now be y described.

47 in the cross-piece i5 and the member 46 is providedA With a suitable coin receiving passage 47 provided with ashoulder 18, as

shown in Figure 12 to stop apcoin ofthe proper denomination, and, to cause a coin of-a smaller diameterto vcontinuetraveling until it is returned to the depositor by passing directly into, the passage 49 which ystarts from vthe lowest corner ofthe coin stop shoulder 4l8. 1 A,

11s `shown in Figuresy il and 5, Athegcrosspiece 45, is provided ywithian opening or passage 50 adapted toreceive a'preferably,

cylindrical coin engaging member 51 having a plunger receiving slot 52. The' coinen-` gaging member 51 is connectedat its outer end to ak movable track member a3, which traclr-memberis sli'dably supported at each endfinpthe ways ,An indicator member is slidably mountedfupon the tracli member53` and is guided byy ineansofa guide rod 5G which passes 'therethrough and supported at itsends by the traclrmember 5B. rlhe indicator member 55 is` providedwith area-rvvwardlyextending arm, or ram 57 adapted to be moved into alignment with one vof the movable members 1 to 10., inclusiif'e, at a time', for contact :therewith when moved rearwardly, as will be fullysctfforth herein-` after. l y

A handle: 58 extends upwardly from the indicator' member ,andpas es upwardly through a transverse slotted opening 59 in the top plate QBof the housing 27. Extend-` ing at a right angle to the slotted opening 59 are the parallel arranged handle receiving lll/, 2li/a SIq 1n/ll7 f5/,lf3 6l/, yyl/7 SK, 9- and 10', ywhich permit movement of the track member when pressure is exer'ted thereagainst.

Extending forwardlv from. near each end ofthe track member `53y and lined thereto at their rear ends, are a pair of opposed push rods 60 which rods are supportedrin the bearings 61 and 62. vided with a stop collar 63 and a `coiled spring 6d encircling yeach push rod between the bearings 61 and 62 and the stop collar 63, as clearly shown in Figure/1.y kThe coiled springs 611- hold the push-rods 6() in their forward or normal position, as is manifest. 65 indicates a pair of push rods. supported by means of the bearings 66 and 57. Each push rod is provided with a stopcollar GS and acoiled spring 69 encircling each'push rod between the bearings eiland the stop collar 68. rlllhe push rods G5 are each connected at their rear end by means of acrosshead 70. A suitable plunger 71`is centrallyy fixed to the'push rod cross-head 7,0` and is `receivable in an openino' 7 2 of the-cross piece 4:5 and a registering opening 73 in the coin receiving member 416. V1When there is no coin in the coin receiving member L16, the plunger k7-1 is freeto enterthe slotted'opening 52 of the coin engaging member 51 if forced rearwardly due to any cause, and yby so freely entering the slottedopening 52 would p refvent the `movement lof the coin engaging member whichotherwise.would actuate the Each pushV rod 60 is profv `inY Fig. 3.

indicator supporting tracl; and cause the arm 57 to engage and yactuate one of the dog releasing members which would actuatel a .table releasingdog or lever which controls the movement of a certain merchandise supporting table. l,

f The means employed for actuating the push rods65 and plunger blade 71 to a-predetermined position, then releasing same, andthen continuing the movement of the push rods 5S only when a coin has been de# posited, consists of a hand wheel 74 having an actuating handle 75. The hand wheel 7a is providedwith a peripheralliange'76 and is fixed to the outer end of a supporting shaft 77 which is journaled in the bearing 7S. Fixed to the inner face of the hand wheel 74, as illustrated in Figure 8, area `pair ofsemi-circular inner cams 79y each having the gradually inclined cam face 80 which terminates in a flat face 81 that terminates abruptly to establishk stops 82 at one end 'of each cam. also lined to the inner face of the hand wheel 74: are a pair of tires-quarter circular cams 88 each having the gradually inclined cam face Sl-terminating abruptly, as at S5, to form a stop face. The inclined faces of these latter cams do knot start lushwiththe inner face of the hand wheel 711,'as d0 the inclined cani faces of the cams 80,but they commence at a. suitable elevation from the face of the hand wheel, as clearly shown in l? 9, to provide ya stop face 8G at the forward end of the in 8O of the cams 79, while the outer push rods 58 are arranged to ride` upon the cam faces 811 of the oanisSS.

The operation of the merchandise vending machine is as follows: s l

As an illustration, we will assume that the purchaser is desirous-of purchasing an article of merchandiselocated in a compartment on shelf, or turn table designated 6.k

The purchaser first moves the indicator 55,

tlnough the medium of the upright handle 58, toa position so that the handle 58 will register with slotted opening 6', as s hown This manipulation brings the ram member 57,of t-he indicator member 55, in register and longitudinallhlignment with kthe dog releasing member 6, as is manifest. s After the indicator has been set, the purchaserl drops a'coin of the proper denomina- `tion into the coin receiving slot of the top lplate 28', ofthe housing 27.'

lAfter the coin has vbeen deposited, itl rolls toa position in front of the .coin engaging member al and to the rearv of the plunger member 7l', as shown in `Fig. 5.

New, the purchaser, turns the ycam wheel Tel. one complete revolution, bylmeans of the handle 75.

The following actions take place during the complete revolution of the cam wheel for releasing theturn table 6 land bringing the releasing member 6, as clearly shown in Fi it this position the inner push rods (l have come to the end ot the inclined faces El() ot' cams 79 and instantaneously disengage the lams 79 causing the coiled springs 69 to return the inner push' vrods 65 and `plunger 7l to their normal position, which movement releases the engagement o the coin with coin engaging member and the end of plunger permitting the coin to be discharged by the `torce o'j gravity through the opening in the bottom wall of' the cross piece lt will be observed, that these actions have all taken place within the one-halt revolution of the cam wheel. l

The outer push rods are continued-in their rearward movement as thecam wheel is revolved beyond one-halt turn due to the forward ends of the push rods 5S having been brought into contact with the inclined faces oetot the cams 8S through the movement of the coin engaging member 5l and indicator supporting member Continued rotary movement ot cam wheel la beyond one-halt revolution to the completion ot one revolution auses the push rods 60 to move the ram 57 rearwardly, which in turn moves 'the dog releasing member 6 from its normal 5 to its rearward poposition shown in F sition shown in Fig. 7. rlhe rearward movement ot the dog releasing member 6 by drawing,` the connecting cable gradually re,n leases the lip of the dog 6 from engagement with a stop shoulder 2% of the ratchet band which is removably lined to the peripheral faceof the merchandise supporting table 6p At the completion ot one revolution ot the lcam wheel 74.1 the lia del of the 'doo' G will have been released from contact with the stop shoulder 24through the medium of the cable 32, and, Just 'as soon as the hp has been disengaged from ther stop shoulder 24, thevcoiledspring 14 will revolvev thetable 6 a distance equal tothe space of one merchandise compartment L20 to bringt-he 'goods' vin the compartment directly in front of the purchasenso that the same may be removed Lt'roni'the `table compartmentby the purchaser, through the opening 17, as is manitest. l t3imultaneously7 with the'movement of table.v 6, the outer push rods G0 disengage the cams 83 causing the coiled springs 64 to instantaneously 'return the push rods 60 to their normal position, thus returning the indicator supportimY member 53, coin engaging member 5l., indicator and ram 57 back to their normal positions. Simultaneously Tvith the return movement of the aforesaid members, it is evident that the coiled spring 44 willreturn thedogreleasing member back to its normal position, thereby slaclening the cable 37 to permitthe .coiled spring 44 to torce the lip te of the dog 6 into contact with the inclined plane 23 of the ratchet-band 22 to engage the succeeding stop 2st, thereby limitingl the movement of the selected table 6 to a distance equal to the distance between stop 2%, which distance is the widthof one merchandise compartment 2@ at its outer end.

Where the price of certain merchandise is different, or less, than the denomination of the coin that must be placed in the coin receiving' slot, the purchaser will lfind the' correct change in the compartment upon the shelf with the goods purchased.

`Should the camfwheel, for any reason be given a turn before a coin ot' the proper denomination has been deposited, thel cam wheel can onlybe turned a partial revolution because the shoulder 86 of the cams 83l will engage the ends oi" the outer push rods 58, owing to the facty that the plunger freely entered the plunger receiving slot 52 of the coin` engaging memberl which prevents a rearward movement of the engaging member 51 `and the outer push rods 60 in unison with the inner push rods 65, as is manifest.

Further, should a coin ot a less diameter than the slot is designed to receive and retain be dropped into the coin receiving slot,

the same will not be stopped by shoulder 48, directly in front ot the coin engaging meniber 5l and plunger 7l, but the coin will roll through passage 49 and be returned to the purchaser. f

To prevent reverse movementfof any one of the rotatable merchandise supporting shelves by customer, lor other party in y front ot the device, l provide each ratchetband l22 with `the same number vof suitable stops STas there are stops 2li andin the same spaced relation. A suitable dog 8S, p'ivoted as at 89 to the end of an arm 90, is adapted to engage the Istops whenever they'come in contact therewith, as clearly shown in Fig.

8. The arms y90, are `suitably fixed to ther llO ioV

vvalli26 and ther dogSS foreach ai'iii 90 is preferably `.held inits proper :position by i means of a suitablezspring 9i.y lt Willzbe ob# served, that .by this arrangement, a party in front of :the vending devicey cannot im cart a reve-rse movement to the shelves, butl by releasing the dogs 88. va party refilling the shelvesinay reverse the shelves, ivliiclniat the same time reWinds they coiled poiver 4spring to thek shelf. being revolved ina reverse directionT f The many advantages `of the herein described invention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled ,iii the art to which it appertains. f i i v *l do not Wish to ybe understood as having limited myself to the specilicdetails of construction shown and fdesci'ibed, but desire;

to have it understood thatthe'invention' l have-shown in the drawings is :merely iliustrative, as it is manifest that various minor` changes may bemadein the exact construction and particulararrangement `of several parts Without departing from ythe spirit of my invention, hence l reserve thevri'ght to make any such changes, or modifications as may fairly fall Within the scope of the appended claims when fairly construed."

What l claim is: f V

l. In a merchandise vending machine, in combination, a self rotatable merchandiseV supporting shelf having a plurality of compartnients for receiving merchandise to bey vended, a Wall having an unobstructed inerchandise dispensing opening arranged iii advance of said shelf,said shelf having aperipheral band provided with an inclined.

face and a stop for each shelf compartment,

i a'ieleasing dog pivotallyVV connected to the -tact with its respective stop to permit rthe partial rotation of the shelf Vto, bring the succeeding shelf compartment in register `With the merchandise dispensing opening in the Wall to permit removal of the ymercliandise therein to be removedtherefroin by the purchaser thereof, and means to prevent reverse rotation of the shelf.y

2. In ainerchandise vending machine, in combination, a self rotatable vmerchandise' supporting shelf having a plurality of compartments for receiving merchandise to be vended, a Wall having an unobstructed mer 'chandise dispeiisingi opening arranged in advance of said shelf., said shelf having aA -peripheral band provided with an inclined face and a s'top'for each shelffcompartment, a releasing dog, pivotally connected to the inner face of the Wall having its free end engaging one of the stops of said peripheral band topi-event rotation of the shelf in one direction, ieans for yieldingly holding said releasing dog in Contact with' *they stop,

dog releasing member, .resilientmeans for holding saidxdog releasing member. in iioi' mal position, a connection between said dog releasingmember and said ieleasingidog, a yram ynormally spaced from oneend of said doc-releasiinr member in register therewith D b D 7 said ram being mounted for movement into Contact with the dog releasing member for moving the saine to actuate the releasing dog through the connection between the gdog releasing member and releasing` dog forreleasing the shelf against movement lpermittingL the succeeding `compartnientof the shelf'to move into register with themen chandise dispensing opening in the Wall. so

that themerchandise inthe saidk shelf coni- -par'tme'nt may be removed by the purchaser thereof.

3. ln a merchandise vending machine,v in

combination`l self lrotatable merchandise supporting shelfliaving a plurality of compartments for receivingmerchandisedto be vended, vvallhaving an unobstructednier- -chandisel dispensing opening .arranged in advance of said shelf, mechanism to prevent rotation of said she-lf in one direction, locking'means to prevent rotation of the shelf in the opposite direction, a releasing member, resilient means acting against said releasing member, a rain spaced from the releasing member opposite one end thereof and coin controlled mechanism for actuating said ram and releasing member for releasing the merchandise supporting shelf for partial rotation to bring a succeeding shelf compartment into register with the merchandise dis-y pensing o'peiiingof the wall. y

4. In combination ivith a Wall having a -fiee dispensing opening therein, of aiota- .table shelf having compartments for receiving merchandisepositioned to the rear of said ivall so that one of its merchandise receiving compartments will at all times stop tov register With the dispensing opening in the Wall rendering` merchandise thereon removable therefrom., a stop fixed to the shelf for each compartment,` a dog pivotally connected aty one end to the Wall and engaging a stop at its free end to prevent casual movenient of the shelf, a spring fory holding the free end of the dog in Contact with the stop, l

a dog releasing member, a connection between said dog releasing member and said dog, a ram in yadvance'otl said dog releasing member and coin controlled mechanism for actuating said ram forrelcasing the dog to permit partial rotation of the merchandise shelf to bring a full compartment to its dis-` charge position in register with the vdiepe-ensing opening of the aforesaid Wall.

In a merchandise vending machine, in

combination, a stationary central post, a se` vof" merchandise to be Vended. a

ries of spring actuated merchandise supporting' shelves mounted to rotate around said post, one above another in one direction, and susceptive of L10-ordination with adjacent series of shelves, each shelf hitting a plurality ot' compartments open atene end for Wall having a free dispensing; opening arranged in advance of said series of shelves and extending; from the lower shelf te the uppermost shell" 'tording full view and :tree access to the conipartinent of merchandise oit any shelf in register With 4the opening` in seid nell, a changeable peripheral band tor each shelt provided with an inclined face and a stop on the lower edge of seid band for each shelf Compartment to prevent the movement oi'f the shelf in one direction, a corresponding; stop on the peripheral face of the bandra dog engaging said stop to prevent movement of the shelit' in e reverse direction`r a series oit dogs pivotalljy` connected vto the inner face of the Wall in such relation to the series of shelves that the free end of each dop; engages one of the stops on the lower edgeo'f its reeach dop;

yits respective stop, a seriesvoi yieldeble dogg releasing` members,` a connection between and with one of the series of dogreleasing` membersr` and a ram slidably mounted to permitk exeet register with any one et' the series` oi" doe' relnnrsing` members and a ram mounting actuated by vany suitable eoin eentrolled or other device producing; a fornf'art and baekward movement, which movement propels the rain againstthe releasing member conne-ted With the dog locking' the shelf contnining the merchandise selected by the purchaser`r causing said deni to unlock seid shelf, permitting` the same to revolvey in a l'forward directionnntil the ,succeeding compartment is in register with the unobstructed opening in Jthe Wall. and the, removal o't the selected merchandise therefrom by lthe purchaser.

ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto signed my naine to the speeiieation Geenen M. Kenn. 

